Subject: Public Hearing to
determine the category for an application for the new Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Cycle

Resolution authorizing the City Manager
to submit a grant application

Staff
Recommendation:

Staff
recommends authorization for the City Manager to submit a grant application in
the Neighborhood Revitalization category for the CDBG Funding Cycle.
Additionally, staff recommends the Neighborhood Revitalization category grant
be identified as a priority project for funding.

Analysis:

The
City of Leesburg is eligible to receive up to $750,000 Community Development
Block Grant funding in the 2011 funding cycle. The purpose of the first public
hearing is to select the appropriate grant category or categories in which the
City wishes to apply for funding. The City can apply for funding in multiple
categories, but funding will only be provided in one category. The exception
to this rule is that the City can apply in the Economic Development category at
any point during the year, regardless of whether funding is received in one of
the other categories. The four grant categories are described as follows:

Housing

This
grant category provides financial assistance to repair or replace existing
homes. The occupants of each housing unit must meet maximum household income
limits to qualify for assistance.

Neighborhood Revitalization

Funding
from this grant category can be used to install or replace infrastructure in
residential neighborhoods. Infrastructure can include water lines, wastewater
lines, storm water and street paving. The majority of the households serviced
by the infrastructure to be constructed within the residential neighborhood
must meet the low to moderate income requirements.

This
funding category is designed to provide funding to create new jobs. The funds
can be used for construction of private business facilities or for the
installation of public utilities necessary for the job-creating business.
Note: This funding category is not subject to the funding cycle deadline and
funds are available throughout the year.

Upon
selection of the grant category or categories by the City Commission, staff
will work with the grant writing consultant to develop grant applications. The
projects will be reviewed at a second public hearing prior to submission to the
grant agency. Additionally, the Citizen Advisory Task Force (CATF) appointed
by the City Commission will also review the proposed project and provide a
recommendation to the City Commission.

The neighborhood revitalization funds will be utilized for improvements to the
area in and around the intersection of the Beecher Street/ Griffin Road
Drainage System and to complete Underground Utility Conversions and service
connections within the Carver Heights/Montclair Area community.

Options:

Submit
application in the Neighborhood Revitalization grant category; or

Such
alternative action as the Commission may deem appropriate.

Fiscal
Impact:

The
grant match of $125,000 has been approved in the adopted 2011-20 Capital
Improvement Plan under the Electric Department. The Electric Department will
fund the match as part of its FY 2011/2012 proposed budget to complete Phase 4
of the Underground Utility Project for Carver Heights.

Submission
Date and Time: 6/10/2011 12:42 PM____

Department:
______________________

Prepared
by: ______________________

Attachments:
Yes____ No ______

Advertised: ____Not
Required ______

Dates:
__________________________

Attorney Review : Yes___ No ____

_________________________________

Revised 6/10/04

Reviewed by: Dept.
Head ________

Finance Dept. ______JB__________

Deputy C.M. ___________________

Submitted
by:

City
Manager ___________________

Account No. _________________

Project No. ___________________

WF No. ______________________

Budget ______________________

Available _____________________

RESOLUTION
NO._________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION, OF
THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A FUNDING
REQUEST FOR $750,000 TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS FOR THE
PURPOSE OF OBTAINING FUNDING FOR A NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT; ESTABLISHING NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION AS A
PRIORITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

BE
IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA:

1.THAT the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit a funding
request for $750,000 to the Florida Department of Community Affairs for a
Neighborhood Revitalization Category of the Small Cities Community Development
Block Grant Program and establishing neighborhood revitalization as a priority
for the City, if the application is in the fundable range.

2.That the City Commission hereby commits
to provide a match of $125,000 to the Neighborhood Revitalization grant
application; and

THAT this resolution
shall become effective immediately.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of
Leesburg, Florida, at a regular meeting held the 13th day of June,
2011.